ST. PAUL, MN (July 17, 2015) – The St. Paul Saints currently have one bench player and no backup infielder. They have been able to get away with it for the last couple of weeks, but not wanting to test fate any longer Saints manager George Tsamis found his answer signing Ryan Lashley to help bolster the team.

The 24-year-old Lashley began this season with the Lincoln Saltdogs where he hit .215 with one home run and eight RBI in 17 games. In 65 at bats he scored five runs, had a .227 on base percentage and a .323 slugging percentage. It was his year with the Fort Worth Cats in 2014, however, that stands out during Lashley’s brief career.

With the Cats in the United League Lashley nearly won the Triple Crown. He led the league in batting average, .369, was tied for first in home runs with six and was second in RBI with 45, just three shy of the league leader. He did all of that in 53 games. In 214 at bats he scored 46 runs, ripped 22 doubles, had a .404 on base percentage and a .556 slugging percentage. His incredible season also included a career high 18 game hitting streak from June 10-July 4, the last 11 were all multi-hit games. Lashley was selected as the third baseman on the All United Baseball League team following the season and was also awarded the Silver Slugger Award.

Lashley began his professional career in 2013 with the Normal Cornbelters of the Frontier League where he hit .241 with two homers and 15 RBI. He began his college career at Stetson University before finishing at Lynn University.

In order to make room for Lashley the Saints placed reliever Mikey Mehlich on the disabled list retroactive to July 14.

The Saints are currently at the league maximum 22 players, 11 pitchers and 11 position players.